Susannah Gill (Dip.Coun.)

About me

We come to counselling or psychotherapy when life hurts or overwhelms us, hoping to arrive at balance. My work as an integrative relational counsellor is about opening up a calm, caring, thoughtful, honest and confidential space where you can explore what's troubling you and find your balance -- between hurt and hope, between body and mind, between reason and emotion, between doing and thinking, between what's past and what's possible. I am committed to helping you live your best life, whatever that looks like for you.

What is integrative relational counselling?

There are so many counsellors and therapists practicing in so many modalities that it's easy to become overwhelmed when trying to find the right match for you. Research consistently shows, though, that regardless of modality or technique, what's important for a positive outcome in counselling is a good, trusting relationship between you and the counsellor. Many people struggle to relate to or feel safe with a counsellor who adopts a stereotypical "blank screen" persona; I bring to my clients a commitment to being a real, caring and collaborative human being.

"Integrative" means my training incorporated a thorough grounding in the major theoretical approaches to counselling and psychotherapy, and that I draw on multiple models and techniques to tailor our work to you, your personality and your needs. It also means our work will involve the body and emotions as well as the mind; it's not just about insight or changing your thinking, but about experiencing positive changes to how you behave and feel.

"Relational" means that fundamental to my work is the awareness that human beings develop and live in a network of relationships, which can affect everything from how we experience the physiological effects of stress, to how safe we feel in the world, to how we interpret our experience and current relationships. Relational counselling offers a safe, secure, boundaried relationship where we can explore those dynamics and how they may be affecting you today.

How to get in touch:

Picking up the phone and calling a stranger to talk about what ails you can be intimidating. I welcome initial contact via email -- a short message with your contact details and the best time and way to reach you is fine. I'll ring or email you back within 24 hours to talk about how we can get the ball rolling.

Training, qualifications & experience

I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling from the Minster Centre in London. I'm also deepening my skills by pursuing further training towards an Advanced Diploma / MA in Counselling & Psychotherapy. Previously, I earned an Honours BA in Literary Studies & Philosophy from the University of Toronto. I have a lifelong love for big questions and themes.

I lived in the US and Canada before coming to the UK in 2005. I bring to my work personal experience of some of the issues that bring us to counselling, an understanding of how much courage it takes to change and a dash of North American optimism that a better life is always possible.

I am a member of the BACP and UKCP and abide by their ethical frameworks. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming and welcome clients of all genders and nationalities. I work respectfully with those of all spiritualities and those of none.

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

My fee is £50 for a 50-minute hour. A good fit between counsellor and client is essential, so to help you evaluate whether I'm the right person for you, I offer an initial consultation at a discounted fee of £25.